OpenVPN Installation on Windows 8

The easiest way to use OpenVPN on Windows 8 is our app - it handles everything automatically. Prefer to configure OpenVPN manually with OpenVPN GUI? This guide covers both.

Download Windows App Manual Setup Instead

Recommended: use the Le VPN app

For the best speed and security, use our new Windows app with Wireguard or Stealth Wireguard - it's faster and lighter than OpenVPN, with no configuration files or manual settings. Download the app, sign in with your VPN credentials, pick a server, and click Connect.

Specifically need OpenVPN - a router, or a network that only allows it? Our legacy Windows app supports OpenVPN natively, or follow the manual setup below.

Learn more about Le VPN for Windows

Manual OpenVPN Setup on Windows 8

Using OpenVPN GUI instead of the Le VPN app? Follow these steps.

Install OpenVPN GUI

Download and install the free OpenVPN GUI client as an administrator. Accept the default options during setup.

Add your configuration files

Download your OpenVPN config files and extract them into C:\Program Files\OpenVPN\config. Only keep the server locations you plan to use - OpenVPN GUI supports a limited number of loaded configs.

Connect

Launch OpenVPN GUI as an administrator, right-click its icon in the system tray, choose your server, click Connect, and enter your VPN username and password.

Note for Windows 8

OpenVPN GUI needs administrator rights to manage the network connection. Right-click the OpenVPN icon on your desktop, open Properties > Compatibility, and enable Run this program as an administrator. Then always launch and connect using "Run as administrator".

Once connected, confirm it worked by checking your IP address - it should show the VPN server's location, not your own. If it still shows your real IP, disconnect and reconnect.

OpenVPN configuration files

Your Le VPN subscription includes ready-made OpenVPN configuration files for every server location, bundled by port so you can pick whichever works best on your network.

Download the ZIP for the port you want: UDP 53, TCP 80, or TCP 443. Each ZIP has one .ovpn file per server for that port (e.g. Le-VPN-Argentina-53.ovpn). If one port is blocked on your network, just download a different port's ZIP.

Quick recap

This guide covers setting up OpenVPN on Windows 8 with Le VPN. The recommended route is the Le VPN Windows app (with faster Wireguard or Stealth Wireguard), while the manual method uses the free OpenVPN GUI client with configuration files.

Platform and protocol: OpenVPN on Windows 8, via either the Le VPN app or OpenVPN GUI
Manual method: install OpenVPN GUI, place .ovpn config files in the config folder, then connect
Windows 8 tip: run OpenVPN GUI as administrator so it can manage the network connection
Sign in with your Le VPN username and password; verify by checking your IP address
One subscription covers up to 10 devices; Wireguard and Stealth Wireguard are faster, lighter options

Finding your VPN credentials

VPN connection credentials

Used to connect via OpenVPN GUI or the Le VPN app. Sent to your email when you activated your account - not the same as your client area login. Forgot them? Log into the client area and use the menu to view or reset your VPN password.

Client area login

The email and password you use to sign into le-vpn.com/clients to manage your subscription and download configuration files. Forgot it? Reset your client area password here.